Barabai, South Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Two high school student, Kiranamulya Budi Arthanti (Global Jaya School) and Christophe Sulaiman (Jakarta Intercultural School) led a planting action of 3,000 rattan in Meratus Mountains, Hinas Kiri Village, Batang Alai Timur Sub-district, Hulu Sungai Tengah (HST) District, South Kalimantan.
Kirana in Barabai, HST capital, Thursday, said their action is supported by Forest and Other Land Use (FOLU) program, the Indonesia Environment Fund (BPDLH), and Ministry of Forestry.
Rattan is a fast-growing and renewable non-timber product that is essential for forest conservation. Thus, the Rattan for Life project directly supports national and global climate target, especially FOLU Net Sink 2030 initiative—which targets the forestry and land use sectors to become net emission absorbers by 2030.
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"This project combines youth action with geospatial science by empowering the community, especially Dayak Meratus," she said.
Kirana and Christophe use satelite data, soil maps, and contour analysis to identify degradated land, so that rattan can grow optimally, and help restore damage forest.
Every planting location has been verified in the field and marked with GPS, creating a digital map for transparent monitoring and further research.
The data-driven approach emphasizes technology role in community-based conservation efforts, especially involving Dayak Meratus community whose lives close to the use of natural products.
“Planting 3,000 rattan trees is more that just reforestation. It symbolizes a million hopes for healthier environment and sustainable future,” said Kirana.
Christophe added that his party not just planting, but planting intelligently and precisely with the help of technology.
This initiative also serves as educational platform to encourage community and young people across the country to engage in environmental conservation with modern technology and data-based methodologies.
The two students hope that the planted rattan to grow as expected and provide environmental and economic benefits for the surrounding community, especially the Dayak Meratus.
Small Grant Program Leader of Forestry Ministry Syahida Aziziya Al Ahmady said her party together with BPDLH appreciated Rattan for Life project as an example of youth leadership and innovative conservation in Indonesia.
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The two selected students were the youngest participants who went through selection process and had eliminated thousands of other participants.
This small action is expected to be a big step in the future, since rattan can absorb carbon and has economic value, creating a balance of emission and make the earth better.
"We are happy there are young people who care about the environment. After planting, please take good care of it," she said.
HST Regional Secretary Muhammad Yani said the district government appreciated the rattan plantng project initiated by Kirana and Christophe.
Yani underlined that this project is in line with the local government's commitment to preserving the environment by optimizing the use of sustainable natural resources.
"The rattan project conducted by Kirana and Christophe is based on non-timber forest products (HHBK) which are part of biodiversity wealth. This is an initial step by the young generation from outside in developing forest sustainably and continously," he said.
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Yani hopes the project initiated by two high school students to inspire young people in HST District to also plant rattan and utilize it for environmental preservation and improving economy.
The Pambakal (Village Head) of Hinas Kiri Matnor thanked the two students who initiated rattan planting in this region.
He believes that rattan has great potential to be developed in Meratus Mountains area, especially in Hinas Kiri, because rattan roots are able to absorb and store water considering Meratus is the main water source for the surrounding people.
The planting action was also attended by the Regent's Expert Staff for Economic Development Sunar Winarni, Regent's Expert Staff for General Administration H Ahmad Syahriani Effendi, representatives from the Ministry of Forestry, Babinsa Hinas Kiri, community leaders, and residents of Hinas Kiri Village and its surrounding.
The planting of 3,000 rattan trees was conducted on two hectares land in Meratus Mountains involving the local community and was guided by two national accomplished environmental activists, Kosim and Mas Jiwo Pogog.
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